GCS Prep Program
This self-guided GCS Prep Program is designed to give you the tools you need to pass the test, gain expertise, and elevate the profession — all while earning CEUs.
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93%
of subscribers that studied with the MedBridge Certification Prep Programs successfully passed their board specialization test!
Prepare to take the next step in your career.
Our GCS Prep Program provides all of the tools you'll need to pass the board specialization test, develop your clinical skill set, and elevate your career - all while earning CEUs. With advanced certification, you'll set yourself apart as a distinguished professional equipped to provide an advanced level of care.
We can help you get there faster.
In this program you will study advanced topics taught by the best instructors in geriatric therapy. With over 300 practice questions, this 20-week program will have you well-prepared for success on test day.
Learn from the Best
Study advanced topics taught by the top instructors in geriatric therapy.
Identify Strengths
Analyze your strengths & weaknesses with scores for practice areas.
Personalize Your Plan
Customize the program to meet your needs. Study in groups or on your own.
Advance Your Career
Prepare for the test and earn CEUs—all included in the annual subscription.
Explore GCS Prep Courses
Optimal Care Management in a Changing Regulatory Environment
Presented by Ellen R. Strunk, PT, MS, GCS, ACEEAA, CHC
Optimal Care Management in a Changing Regulatory Environment
Most physical therapists and physical therapist assistants don't go to physical therapy (PT) programs to learn about payment models and regulatory issues. In fact, a therapist's understanding of how PT services are paid for is often seen as less important than obtaining knowledge in specific areas of clinical care. Unfortunately, rules and regulations are constantly moving targets that quickly become out-of-date, which makes it challenging to stay abreast of these important issues. No matter how long they have been practicing or what setting they work in, clinicians have a responsibility to maintain compliance with the rules and to advocate for appropriate care for their patients. This course will address the bigger picture so clinicians can clearly understand the context of payment systems in order to design appropriate plans of care, demonstrate compliance and integrity in clinical practice, and identify resources for accurate information to guide practice.
Hospice and Palliative Care: A Primer
Presented by Rich Briggs, PT, MA
Hospice and Palliative Care: A Primer
Physical, occupational, and speech therapy are in their essence palliative, in that function and quality of life are maximized, rather than disease or disability cured. It is important to understand all aspects of the new hospice and palliative care niche to develop a successful and rewarding clinical practice. This course begins with the history and development of current methods, identification of philosophy, goals, organizational structure, and financial issues of the Medicare Hospice Benefit, the primary payer that mandates such care. The unique and essential roles of rehabilitative therapies are outlined, addressing practice patterns, team roles, equipment, and referral management. The course concludes with a review of cost neutral strategies for hospice therapy program development and optimal organizational success.
An Overview of Critical Areas in Home Health
Presented by Diana (Dee) Kornetti, PT, MA, HCS-D, HCS-C and Cindy Krafft, PT, MS, HCS-O
An Overview of Critical Areas in Home Health
What makes therapy care planning different in a home-based model? At face value it may seem that the delivery of therapy is fundamentally the same across all settings but being in a person's home presents unique challenges and opportunities to maximize impact of functional ability. This course will set the stage for home based care by comparing and contrasting regulatory, care coordination and documentation expectations to facility based care.
Compliance
Clinical Management of the Older Adult with Osteoporosis
Presented by Kathryn Brewer, PT, DPT, MEd, GCS, CEEAA
Clinical Management of the Older Adult with Osteoporosis
Fifty-four million Americans are living with, or at risk of, osteoporosis and low bone mass, resulting in two million fractures every year. This course, the first in a three-part series presented by Dr. Kathryn Brewer, focuses on the clinical management of the older adult with osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is defined as a skeletal disorder characterized by compromised bone strength leading to an increased risk of fracture. This definition emphasizes the role of bone strength as a key to understanding fracture risk; one in two women and up to one in four men over the age of 50 will have an osteoporosis related fracture in their lifetime. Physical therapists have a vital role in contributing to patient education and intervention both before and after fracture to improve posture, core and spinal extension strength, balance/coordination, and muscle strength, ultimately reducing fall risk and risk for fracture.
Impaired Muscle Performance and Sarcopenia
Presented by Stefany Shaibi, PT, DPT, OCS, GCS
Impaired Muscle Performance and Sarcopenia
What factors impact muscle performance with aging? This course is designed to give the learner a thorough understanding of factors that can affect muscle performance during the aging process, including sarcopenia. The causes and effects of sarcopenia will be discussed, as well as a review of the current literature regarding interventions. At the end of this course, the learner will have a better understanding of impaired muscle performance and sarcopenia with regard to treating older patients.
The Impact of Diabetes Mellitus in Geriatric Practice: Part 1
Presented by Kenneth L. Miller, PT, DPT, GCS, CEEAA
The Impact of Diabetes Mellitus in Geriatric Practice: Part 1
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that 86 million U.S. adults currently have prediabetes leading to an increased risk of developing type 2 Diabetes, Stroke and Heart Disease. Type 2 diabetes is considered a preventable disease since contributing factors can be lack of physical activity, obesity, and socioeconomic factors which are all mostly modifiable. Physical Therapists working with the geriatric population must be knowledgeable of the disease process of diabetes, be able to instruct patients about reducing risk factors, and provide exercise prescription. Physical therapists are poised to provide preventative care to patients with diabetes. This course will provide the practicing geriatric physical therapist with the tools to address health behavior change and increase physical activity for patients with risk factors for developing diabetes.
The Impact of Aging on Functional Mobility and Gait: Introduction
Presented by Julie Ries, PT, PhD
The Impact of Aging on Functional Mobility and Gait: Introduction
The motor task of walking is ultimately a product of the characteristics of the individual, the environment in which one is immersed, and the task(s) performed while walking. As physical therapists we must be mindful of all components and strategically integrate appropriate challenges when targeting gait interventions. This course is designed to present the predictable set of age related changes of temporal & spatial gait characteristics and review the environmental & task demands of community ambulation. The value of collecting gait speed data, and its relationship to health, function, and mortality are emphasized.
Track Your Strength
The GCS Prep Program is based on practice areas in alignment with the Geriatric Description of Specialty Practice (DSP). Over 300 test questions are mapped to the DSP so participants can track their strengths and weaknesses to prepare for the exam.
See your strength in over 15 categories! Begin the GCS program today.
Practice Exam
Case Excerpt:
Your patient is a 68-year-old, active postmenopausal woman with no history of fracture or other joint disease. She has positive family history for osteoporosis; her mother had a hip fracture and her older sister recently had a vertebral compression fracture. She is osteopenic, has adequate calcium and Vitamin D intake, and wishes to avoid the progression of her condition and use of medications. She walks two miles per day and takes a Zumba class twice weekly. Your exercise and physical activity recommendations will be based on this information.Question:
Principles of bone adaptation applied to older adults with osteoporosis include:The correct answer is "When strain is consistently high, formation exceeds resorption; therefore mass and strength are increased."
This is the basis for site-specific strengthening exercises.Meet Our Instructors
Kathryn Brewer, PT, DPT, MEd, GCS, CEEAA
Diana (Dee) Kornetti, PT, MA, HCS-D, HCS-C
Ron Scott, PT, JD, EdD
Wendy K. Anemaet, PT, DPT, PhD, GCS, CWS, GTC, COS-C
Patrice Antony, PT, CAPS
Kenneth L. Miller, PT, DPT, GCS, CEEAA
Julie Ries, PT, PhD
Stefany Shaibi, PT, DPT, OCS, GCS
Cindy Neville, PT, DPT, WCS
Cindy Krafft, PT, MS, HCS-O
Ellen R. Strunk, PT, MS, GCS, ACEEAA, CHC
Jennifer Bottomley, PT, MS, PhD
Karen Mueller, PhD, DPT, PT, NBC-HWC
Rich Briggs, PT, MA
Kay Wing, PT, DPT, NCS
Jennifer Ryan, PT, DPT, MS, CCS
Anna L. Schwartz, PhD, FNP-BC, FAAN
What's Included in the Program
Advanced Courses
Choose from over 50 online, video-based courses taught by the experts
Practice Questions
Study with over 300 practice questions and recommended journal articles
Group Study
Prepare on your own or with others sitting for the exam
Structured Program
Improve your expertise with this 20-week program designed specifically for the GCS exam